First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
inconstant
adjective in·con·stant \-stənt\
: likely to change in feelings
: changing often
Full Definition of INCONSTANT
: likely to change frequently without apparent or cogent reason
— in·con·stant·ly adverb
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Origin of INCONSTANT
Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin inconstant-, inconstans, from in- + constant-, constans constant
Related to INCONSTANT
- Synonyms
- capricious, changeable, changeful, flickery, fluctuating, fluid, inconsistent, fickle, mercurial, mutable, skittish, temperamental, uncertain, unpredictable, unsettled, unstable, unsteady, variable, volatile
- Antonyms
- certain, changeless, constant, immutable, invariable, predictable, settled, stable, stationary, steady, unchangeable, unchanging, unvarying
Synonym Discussion of INCONSTANT
inconstant, fickle, capricious, mercurial, unstable mean lacking firmness or steadiness (as in purpose or devotion). inconstant implies an incapacity for steadiness and an inherent tendency to change <an inconstant friend>. fickle suggests unreliability because of perverse changeability and incapacity for steadfastness <performers discover how fickle fans can be>. capricious suggests motivation by sudden whim or fancy and stresses unpredictability <an utterly capricious critic>. mercurial implies a rapid changeability in mood <made anxious by her boss's mercurial temperament>. unstable implies an incapacity for remaining in a fixed position or steady course and applies especially to a lack of emotional balance <too unstable to hold a job>.
Medical Dictionary
inconstant
adjective in·con·stant \ˈin-ˈkän(t)-stənt\
Medical Definition of INCONSTANT
: not always present <an inconstant muscle>
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